BODHI BULLETIN DHARMA NEWS FROM BODHI MONASTERY • APRIL 2003 ሟሠሡ AJAHN AMARO Vesak at Bodhi Monastery TO GIVE DHARMA TALK On May 17th this year, for the first time, Bodhi Monastery will celebrate the inter- national Buddhist holiday of Vesak, the day commemorating the birth, Enlightenment, Date: Wednesday, and Parinirvana (passing away) of Lord Buddha. According to the Southern Buddhist April 30th, 2003 tradition, these three events all occurred on the full-moon day of the Indian month Time: 7-8 pm Vaisakha (April-May). Though the Northern Buddhist tradition assigns the Buddha’s Topic: Enlightenment and Parinirvana to different calendar days, the THE EIGHT PRECEPTS Rebirth and World Fellowship of Buddhists has designated Vesak the major 1. To abstain from killing Enlightenment Buddhist holiday. It is a day when Buddhists of all affiliations any living being should express their homage and dedication to the Supreme Teacher 2. To abstain from taking What is rebirth? What whose appearance in this world opened up the gates to the highest that which is not given is enlightenment? happiness and peace. So mark this date on your calendar now. Practitioners continu- 3. To abstain from all The Vesak schedule at Bodhi Monastery will feature a number of ally ask these ques- sexual activity special events. We will begin at 9 am with the administration of tions, and reflection 4. To abstain from false the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts. This will be followed by on them can inform speech a talk on the significance of Vesak by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi. After and transform our 5. To abstain from taking his talk, the monks will conduct a ceremony of initiation into the practice. To better intoxicants understand what these Buddha Dharma for those among our friends and well-wishers who questions point to, we 6. To abstain from have never before formally taken the Refuges and Precepts and untimely meals will explore one of would like to do so. If any of our readers wish to participate in the Buddha's most 7. To abstain from enter- this ceremony, please inform us as early as possible. tainment and personal important teachings: In the Buddhist tradition, on days of special religious signifi- adornments dependent origination cance, lay disciples commonly undertake to observe, for a full day (paticca-samuppada). 8. To abstain from high and and night, a more stringent set of eight precepts, modeled on the luxurious beds and seats disciplinary code of a novice monk or nun. The first five corre- Author’s Note: Ven. Ajahn spond to the usual Five Precepts, except that the third precept is changed from Amaro was ordained as a monk in Thailand under “abstinence from sexual misconduct" to “abstinence from all sexual activity." The the late meditation master others are: (6) to abstain from untimely meals (i.e., from twelve noon until the fol- Ven. Ajahn Chah. He spent lowing dawn); (7) to abstain from dancing, singing, instrumental music, and shows, many years as a resident and from the use of jewelry, cosmetics, and beauty lotions; and (8) to abstain from monk at the Amaravati the use of high and luxurious beds and seats. All those who would like to under- Buddhist Monastery in England and since 1996 take the Eight Precepts for the twenty-four hour period are encouraged to do so; has lived at the Abhayagiri those who take the Three Refuges and Five Precepts earlier that morning may also Buddhist Monastery in take the Eight Precepts. The Buddha himself highly praises this practice as a pris- northern California where tine observance of the noble ones. If you would like to take the Eight Precepts, please he is co-abbot. inform us in advance. After lunch, Ven. Jen-Chun Fa-shih will give a talk on the meaning of Vesak. Then, at 2 pm, Mr. Michael Roehm will deliver the keynote address on “Buddhism in America: Its Prospects and Role in the Future." Mr. Roehm, interim director of BODHI MONASTERY the English Language Institute at The American University in Washington, has been 67 Lawrence Road a Buddhist for close to forty years. He was a monk in Sri Lanka and Korea and for Lafayette, NJ 07848 many years has been the teacher and director of the Sutta Study Group in 973-940-0473 Washington D.C. The program will end with readings from the Buddhist scriptures [email protected] and a transference of merit ceremony. To contact us about Vesak please call 973-940-0473. Email correspondence is preferred. Email us at [email protected] and type “Vesak” metta in the subject box. ࣍ April Saturday Dharma Talk Schedule Sign Up for the Spring Course: Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi will be giving Dharma Talks through Introduction to Buddhism and Meditation April. While Ven. Master Jen-Chun is in Taiwan we will be Begins: Saturday, May 3, 2003 and continues for listening to recordings of his Talks. five Saturdays through June 7. Time:10:00am-1:00pm. A vegetarian lunch is included. SAT., APRIL 5TH Registration Deadline: April 26, 2003 10:00am-10:35am Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi Dharma Talk Fee: None. $30 donation suggested 10:45am-11:30am Monthly Ceremony (Circumambulation, chanting, offerings) This course is designed for people who are relatively unfamiliar with 11:35am-12:00pm Lunch/Free time Buddhism and who wish to know more about our religion. Participants 12:00pm-1:00pm Merit Gathering (volunteer chores) will learn about: (1) the basic teachings of the Buddha, (2) basic med- 1:15pm-2:00pm Ven. Master Jen-Chun Dharma Talk itation practices, (3) ceremonial practices at Bodhi Monastery, and (4) a brief history of Buddhism. The course is generally conducted SAT., APRIL 12TH, 19TH & 26TH by lay practitioners. However, participants will also have opportuni- 10:00am-10:45am Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi Dharma Talk ties to ask questions of senior members of the monastic community. 11:15am-12:00pm Lunch/Free time Call or email to register. Email correspondence is preferred. If 12:00pm-1:00pm Merit Gathering (volunteer chores) emailing, please type “Intro Course” in the subject box. 1:15pm-2:00pm Ven. Master Jen-Chun Dharma Talk BODHI BRIEFS APRIL SUTTA STUDY: Tuesdays, you can make an appoint- MEDITATION: Bhante’s class on Majjhima Nikaya, ment to listen to the recorded classes Basic meditation instruction will be Tuesday evenings, 7:00-8:00 pm at your convenience. given by Ven. Adam on April 5th from (in English only) The course syllabus is posted on our 9:30-11:00 am. Instruction is given In April, Bhante will continue his website. If you have any questions on the first Sunday of every month. talks on the Majjhima Nikaya by dis- please call the monastery or email us Please inform us that you are coming cussing suttas that pertain to Buddhist at [email protected] and type and leave contact information. ethics. These will include: four con- “Sutta Study” in the subject box. All are welcome to join our ongoing trasting ways of life (MN 46), the law DHARMA: sitting and walking meditation group of karma and its fruits (MN 57, MN Shifu’s Lectures on Madhyamaka guided by Bhante and Shifu. We meet 135), and the path to a higher rebirth philosophy, Tuesday and Thursday every Sunday from 9:30-11:00 am in (MN 41, MN 120). mornings, 9:00-10:00 am (in Chinese the Buddha Hall. The course will be ongoing for only) are cancelled through April. approximately the next two years. JULY DHARMA RETREAT: They will begin again on May 6th. There is no fee. Newcomers are The Bodhi Monastery week-long welcome at any time. Previous expo- Pali Language Class, Saturdays, 2:30- 2003 Dharma Retreat will be held sure to basic Buddhist teachings is 4:00 pm. Though it is too late for this summer from Friday, July 18th - recommended but not required. anyone to enter the class now, you Friday, July 25th. We will post more If you are unable to attend on can catch up by using the recordings. information in a future bulletin..